session

[ sesh-uhn ]

See synonyms for: session sessions on Thesaurus.com

noun

the sitting together of a court, council, legislature, or the like, for conference or the transaction of business: Congress is now in session.
a single continuous sitting, or period of sitting, of persons so assembled.

a continuous series of sittings or meetings of a court, legislature, or the like.
the period or term during which such a series is held.
sessions, (in English law) the sittings or a sitting of justices in court, usually to deal with minor offenses, grant licenses, etc.
a single continuous course or period of lessons, study, etc., in the work of a day at school: Through a mixture of both lectures and lab sessions, you will develop a broad engineering skill base.
a portion of the year into which instruction is organized at a college or other educational institution: She’s enrolled in a six-week summer session.
the governing body of a local Presbyterian church, composed of the pastor who moderates and the elders.
a period of time during which a group of persons meets to pursue a particular activity: It was the last show before their recording sessions this week where they will produce their first album.

Origin of session

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English sessio(u)n, cessio(u)n, from Anglo-French, Middle French session, from Latin sessiōn- (stem of sessiō ) “sitting, bench, law-court sitting,” equivalent to sess(us) (past participle of sedēre to sit¹) + -iōn- -ion

Other words from session

ses·sion·al, adjective
pre·ses·sion, noun

Words that may be confused with session

cession, secession, session

Words Nearby session

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use session in a sentence

No other teams were in the gym during the sessions, though Clark said occasionally non-Patrick Henry students would join in.
School Sports Became ‘Clubs’ Amid the Pandemic – Now Two Coaches Are Out | Ashly McGlone | September 17, 2020 | Voice of San Diego
Earlier this year, boxing superstar Mike Tyson shared astonishing video clips from one of his recent sparring sessions.
Mike Tyson’s comeback is a counterpunch to age discrimination | Lila MacLellan | September 16, 2020 | Quartz
I felt I had just gone to a group therapy session, but had one too many beers to properly take part.
The Last Bar Standing? | Eugene Robinson | September 15, 2020 | Ozy
I don’t think the governor – certainly he wouldn’t call a special session for that conversation, but if we do have a special session, that needs to be a part of it.
Sacramento Report: Bipartisan Support for a Special Session | Sara Libby | September 11, 2020 | Voice of San Diego
SitterStream is a new startup providing 30- to 90-minute virtual babysitting and tutoring sessions.
The best back-to-school benefits companies are offering their employees | ehinchliffe | September 10, 2020 | Fortune

These are eight of the most interesting laws passed in the second session of the 113th Congress.
Nazis, Sunscreen, and Sea Gull Eggs: Congress in 2014 Was Hella Productive | Ben Jacobs | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Her services include a makeup session for a night out for $50.
Inside A Finishing School for Transwomen | Sharon Adarlo | December 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
On piano was legendary session man Billy Preston, who co-wrote and recorded the original version one year before Cocker's.
Joe Cocker's Deep Live Cuts | Asawin Suebsaeng | December 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Couple removed the weights and continued the session further.
Dungeons and Genital Clamps: Inside a Legendary BDSM Chateau | Ian Frisch | December 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
But when the 114th Congress gavels into session in January, GOP speechwriters are going to need some new material.
Harvard’s Conservative Cabal Takes Congress | Patricia Murphy | December 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
It will be a busy session; and I want to see if I can't become a useful public man.
Elster's Folly | Mrs. Henry Wood
Important orders for new books are now in course of execution, the volumes being due early in this year's session.
Report of the Chief Librarian for the Year 1924-25 | General Assembly Library (New Zealand)
Three to four examples thoroughly studied are quite sufficient for one session or sitting.
Assimilative Memory | Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
He was one of the lords of session in Scotland, and a philosophical writer of considerable learning, but of peculiar notions.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel Munsell
Policeman: The prisoner's three brothers were transported last session, and his mother and father are now in Clerkenwell.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun; | Various

British Dictionary definitions for session

session

/ (ˈsɛʃən) /

noun

the meeting of a court, legislature, judicial body, etc, for the execution of its function or the transaction of business
a single continuous meeting of such a body

a series or period of such meetings
education
- the time during which classes are held
- a school or university term or year
Presbyterian Church the judicial and administrative body presiding over a local congregation and consisting of the minister and elders
a meeting of a group of musicians to record in a studio
a meeting of a group of people to pursue an activity
any period devoted to an activity
See Court of Session

Origin of session

C14: from Latin sessiō a sitting, from sedēre to sit

Derived forms of session

sessional, adjective
sessionally, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with session

session

see bull session.

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